Clinical Clip: Introduction to patient 1 and Introduction to patient 2
Before you watch the film clips
In these film clips, Gretel, the nurse, is introducing herself to the patient (Sue Felix)
and taking her blood pressure.
Nursing communication
1. This is the first time that Gretel has met the patient. How should she
introduce herself?
2. What do you think Gretel might say to the patient before she begins to
take her blood pressure?
Nursing behaviour
4. What kind of body language could Gretel use to help the patient feel
comfortable?
Watch the film clips
Watch the film clips and compare your answers to the questions above.
How do you think the patient feels in Introduction 1?
How do you think the patient feels in Introduction 2?
Write down in the table below some of the differences in Gretel’s behaviour and
language in Introduction 1 and 2
Introduction 1
Smiles
Makes small talk
Introduction 2
Does not smile
Does not make small talk
Clinically Speaking language activity: handout written by Caroline San Miguel, ELSSA Centre, UTS, April 2011
Nursing communication
A typical patient interaction
Introduction 1
Watch introduction 1 again.
This scenario shows you some of the typical stages of an interaction with patients.
Listen to some of the phrases Gretel uses at each stage and write them in the table
below. You can then practise using these phrases yourself.
N.B. the stages may not always be in this order. Sometimes small talk happens while
the nurse is carrying out the procedure
Greeting
Introducing yourself
[asking patient’s preferred
name]
Making small talk
Explaining why you are with
the patient – what do you need
to do
Seeking consent/asking
permission
Giving instructions
Finishing the conversation
Clinically Speaking language activity: handout written by Caroline San Miguel, ELSSA Centre, UTS, April 2011
Patients’ names
When you first meet patients you can call them by their title and surname:
Mr = men
Ms = woman (for both married and unmarried women)
Mrs = married woman
Miss = unmarried woman
 Some married women prefer to be called Mrs ….. and others prefer Ms…..
 Some patients are happy for you to call them by their first name. If you use
their first name you do not use a title.
So Gretel uses
 Ms Felix (title and surname)
 Sue (first name only)
Making small talk
Making small talk helps to make patients feel at ease (to feel comfortable). Patients
may also begin ‘small talk’ topics with you.
Gretel and Sue talk about:
 Family
 Gretel’s clinical practice
Other small talk topics include:
 The weather
Isn’t it a lovely day!
 Things around the patient
They’re lovely flowers!
Are you enjoying your book?
Responding to patients’ comments
It is important to respond to patients’ comments. Look how Gretel picks up on
(responds to) what Sue has said:
Gretel: How did you sleep last night, Sue?
Sue: Not too badly- still pretty uncomfortable
Gretel: Ah, that’s a shame- well, let me know of things change and if you’d like me to
speak to Mary, the Registered Nurse.
Find another example where Gretel responds to a comment Sue has made
Clinically Speaking language activity: handout written by Caroline San Miguel, ELSSA Centre, UTS, April 2011
Using ever day language to explain health care to patients
Look at the different language used in Introduction 1 and 2 to talk about blood
pressure. Which do you think is better and why? Which does the patient in the film
clip seem to prefer?
Introduction 1
Gretel: Your blood pressure’s well within the normal range, so nothing to worry
about there
Introduction 2
Gretel: Yeah, no, the systolic’s about 120 and the diastolic is 88 …well it just means
it’s fine
Non-verbal communication
These two film clips show you how important non-verbal communication is when
communicating with patients. Gretel shows how important eye contact and smiling
are. There are some situations on clinical practice where it may or may not be
appropriate to smile.
When do you think it would be appropriate to smile?
 When you introduce yourself to a patient
 When you introduce yourself to a nurse/facilitator
 When a patient tells you they have not slept very well
 When your facilitator asks you if you had a nice weekend
 When the RN criticises the way you have helped a patient to the shower
 When you enter the tea room and see other nurses
 When you join you student group to debrief with the facilitator
When do you think it is appropriate to make eye contact?
 With patients when you are explaining a procedure (e.g. blood pressure) to
them
 With the RN when she/he is explaining to you what she would like you to do
 With your facilitator when he/she is giving you feedback on your clinical
performance
Can you think of any situations when it might not be appropriate to make eye
contact?
What other non-verbal language could you use to show that you are listening/to
show interest?
Clinically Speaking language activity: handout written by Caroline San Miguel, ELSSA Centre, UTS, April 2011